Hammel leaves with right groin injury

The Rockies’ stable rotation suddenly has more in common with MRIs than ERAs. Just hours after Jorge De La Rosa underwent an MRI on his bruised left middle finger, Jason Hammel left after three innings and 65 pitches with a strained right groin.

Hammel showed signs that something might be wrong early in the game. He was pushing the ball, dropping his arm after just 13 pitches, an indication that he was favoring something. Will post more details after the game. The Rockies have two potential rotation substitutes in Esmil Rogers and Jhoulys Chacin, who are both pitching well in Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Anybody else worried about Todd Helton? 3 RBI for April??!! Notoriously slow starter but that's kind of ridiculous for somebody hitting in the 3 spot. Drop Helton down in the lineup and move Stewart or Gonsalez up. Think of what the Rockies' record would be if he was hitting effectively.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.